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Nikon D40 vs Pentax K-500

Portability
71
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40
Nikon D40 front
 
Pentax K-500 front
Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62

Nikon D40 vs Pentax K-500 Key Specs

Nikon D40
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 1600 (Expand to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 522g - 124 x 94 x 64mm
  • Released December 2006
  • Replacement is Nikon D3000
Pentax K-500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 646g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Revealed November 2013
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Nikon D40 vs Pentax K-500 Overview

Below is a extended analysis of the Nikon D40 versus Pentax K-500, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Pentax. There exists a big gap between the image resolutions of the D40 (6MP) and K-500 (16MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor size (APS-C).

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The D40 was introduced 8 years earlier than the K-500 and that is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before diving into a thorough comparison, here is a simple overview of how the D40 grades against the K-500 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D40 over the Pentax K-500

 D40 K-500 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Nikon D40

 K-500 D40 
RevealedNovember 2013December 2006More recent by 84 months
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D40 and Pentax K-500

 D40 K-500 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Nikon D40 vs Pentax K-500 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to think about its weight and volume. The Nikon D40 has physical dimensions of 124mm x 94mm x 64mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.5") along with a weight of 522 grams (1.15 lbs) while the Pentax K-500 has sizing of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon D40 versus Pentax K-500 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have attached at the time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the D40 against the K-500.

Nikon D40 vs Pentax K-500 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D40 and K-500 is 71 and 64 respectively.

Nikon D40 vs Pentax K-500 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D40 vs Pentax K-500 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is tough to envision the contrast between sensor measurements merely by reading specifications. The photograph here might give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the D40 and K-500.

To sum up, each of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Pentax K-500 to deliver extra detail using its extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics more aggressively. The older D40 is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Nikon D40 vs Pentax K-500 sensor size comparison

Nikon D40 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D40 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D40 Portrait photography details
Pentax K-500 Portrait photography details
53
focusing manually
flash sync speed is above average (1/500 seconds)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview feature
low megapixels (6 megapixels)
74
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides face detection focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D40
Street photography with Pentax K-500
58
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
great high ISO (51,600)
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D40 Sports photography features
Pentax K-500 Sports photography features
39
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
no liveview feature
low frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (6 megapixels)
72
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
better than average battery power (710 shots)
supports phase detect auto focus
slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D40 Travel photography details
Pentax K-500 Travel photography details
47
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse function
low megapixels (6MP)
display is not selfie friendly
67
better than average battery power (710 per charge)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D40 Landscape photography information
Pentax K-500 Landscape photography information
47
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
no liveview feature
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (6 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse function
79
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
great high ISO (51,600)
exports RAW formats
better than average battery power (710 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D40 Vlogging info
Pentax K-500 Vlogging info
9
no video recording
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of external mic support
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Nikon D40 vs Pentax K-500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D40 and Pentax K-500
 Nikon D40Pentax K-500
General Information
Company Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D40 Pentax K-500
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2006-12-21 2013-11-27
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - PRIME M
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.5mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 367.4mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 6MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Full resolution 3008 x 2000 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 1600 51600
Max boosted ISO 3200 -
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.5 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 17.00 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/500 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 522 gr (1.15 lbs) 646 gr (1.42 lbs)
Physical dimensions 124 x 94 x 64mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.5") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 56 79
DXO Color Depth rating 21.0 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.0 13.1
DXO Low light rating 561 1087
Other
Battery life - 710 photographs
Battery style - AA
Battery ID EN-EL9 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $500 $600